Picked up a cheapo little aluminum boat.

[AndyK]

And I’m liking it.
The locals up here keep these with just under a 10hp motor and no trailer to avoid getting taxed.
Our Dungeness crab season starts here in a couple days.
I have always used a kayak to pull crab pots.
I just got some new larger crab pots that are a quite a bit heavier than my older ones, so other day I picked up a 12’ aluminum boat with a nice electric motor so I don’t have to risk tipping the kayak.
That would really suck with our fast cold water currents we have here.
Anyhow it’s a cheapo little boat that slides right into the back of my truck but I’m gonna keep it on the beach for the most part.
I even put some new folding wheels on it so I can walk it down to the water.
I’m actually enjoying pimping it out .
Might pickup a small gas motor for it to be safer for summer salmon.
Our bay just had a bumper crop of jumbo prawns (spot shrimp) so I hope that the crab harvest will be good too.

 

[ChuckO]

Congrats Andy! I picked up a boat about this time last year. It’s > 50 years old, but it’s solid as steel. That is…except the motor. It hadn’t blown but it was a may blow, so I tore it down and sent it off to the machine shop. I got it, I just haven’t had the time to button it back up. If you need partner out on the Bay, let me know. But we will want to be off the bay by 1PM, because it can become very challenging in a boat that size when the wind picks up

 

[AndyK]

Oh I do know about that afternoon delta wind.
It’s almost like you could set your watch to it.

I keep a boat I use for salmon and sturgeon garaged in California (but I’m hardly ever there anymore ) and now keep this cute little one up here in Washington.
These tiny boats are nice because you can launch ‘em just about anywhere.

I would gladly fish or crab with you if you are ever up in this area.

 

[Anne M.]

Nice!
I like those fitted wheels

 

[Tim Campbell]

That rocks. I love that truck bed, Andy. Beautiful.

 

[LMichaels]

Would love to find myself a nice little boat just to find time on our local Pierce Lake again. I sold my last boat. Larger than my first 2. Deeper/wider, heavier. Electronics front and back, front mount foot control motor, electric start tiller steer, and so on. Was great when my one friend was still alive and my other was still living here. Was just too unwieldly for me alone and overkill. When I was going up to the Madison WI chain it was good.
Now, I just want to find a nice 12' simple to use that can take my little 6hp Johnson I have in the basement. Get me around, relax on the water and load up quick and easy.
But seems every one I find is outta WI and they've got different titling and licensing laws re boats and trailers. And trying to recert one for Illinausea is a farce. So I've not been fishing for a few years now other than walking along the Kishwaukee with my grandson and tossing a spinner in here and there

 

[AndyK]

I totally hear you about going out on a larger boat alone.
Ever since my California fishing buddy moved my boats gets been getting more dust that’s water.
By the time you load it, hitch it, commute in traffic, launch it and then clean it when you return it can be more hassle that it’s worth.
Not quite as bad as taking out a bad guest but it’s close.

 

[LMichaels]

I had 2 very good friends I spent a lot of time on the water with. One came here from the UK. But ended up being forced to move back tanks to our dumb immigration policies. Sadly the other passed away at his own hand. And it would be so weird. Because I'd have a day I'd be on the water and have a great day or find a great spot, and start dialing him to tell him we have to try it out and realize there was no calling.
One day I'll find a little yacht and get back on the lake

 

[AndyK]

Well its maiden voyage went ok.
The little boat can crab but is utterly gutless.

So like the good husband I am I took the wife out to grab some crab when she got off of work.
First this she said was wow this is really slow.
I said you ain’t seen nothing yet just wait until we turn into the wind against current.
I now have the green flag to upgrade the motor .

She enjoyed going out on it a lot and we even got to see a baby otter up close.
It stopped and came up to us when I called it.
Otters are so cool and it just never gets old seeing them play around.
Most people don’t know it but they are gangster.
You don’t mess with an otter.
They are like the honey badger and they don’t…..

 

[DanHoo]

Not quite as bad as taking out a bad guest but it’s close.

A boat will never drink your beer, but it will empty your wallet.

 

[Steve Hoch]

Well its maiden voyage went ok.
The little boat can crab but is utterly gutless.

So like the good husband I am I took the wife out to grab some crab when she got off of work.
First this she said was wow this is really slow.
I said you ain’t seen nothing yet just wait until we turn into the wind against current.
I now have the green flag to upgrade the motor .

She enjoyed going out on it a lot and we even got to see a baby otter up close.
It stopped and came up to us when I called it.
Otters are so cool and it just never gets old seeing them play around.
Most people don’t know it but they are gangster.
You don’t mess with an otter.
They are like the honey badger and they don’t…..

I would really like to see your crab cook!

 

[AndyK]

Sure, give me a few hours.
They are still alive and doing well in their bubble tank (the cooler w/air pump).
My mom is coming up today and I’m gonna surprise her with some fresh crab.

 

[AndyK]

I prefer to steam cleaned crabs for about 8 minutes.
To me steamed crab is easier, quicker and just tastes better than violently boiled crab that are filled with yucky stuff.
Steaming crab also uses a lot less BTU’s to get the job done.

I add about 1-1/2 inches of water into my modified turkey fryer.
I can add things to the water like lemons, limes Old Bay or whatever.
Today I added some lime juice.

This “crack in crab” cleaner thing I use was a gift from a guest and it really surprised me.
It works better than I expected for processing crab.

The little rechargeable bubbler works great at keeping game or bait alive.
There are times when I’m just too burnt out to cook crab at the end of the day and this allows me a few days if I want or if I am accumulating crabs for a party too.
I also use it for purging steamer clams.
$12 well spent .